Dealing with Problems—Posted 12/30/2006


The past year has been a tragic and disastrous one for many people worldwide. Calamity and peril has struck many lives and
affected millions around the globe.

On July 12, the war between Israel and Hezbollah began, forcing many to examine issues of end time theology.

August 2 brought about the “spinach-scare” here in America, killing several and making many sick.

October 2, 2006 will be forever emblazoned into the hearts of the Amish Community as a day of great loss. For that is the day a
crazed gunman entered the small schoolhouse in PA and killed 5 young girls.

On October 9, North Korea began testing nuclear weapons in an apparent threat and show of muscle to the world around them.

The conservative Christian church-world was rocked November 4, when “mega-church” pastor Ted Haggard was caught in a
“gay sex” scandal, prompting his congregation to oust him as pastor.

And as recently as yesterday, mixed emotions throughout all nations of the world concerning the hanging death of former Iraqi
leader Saddam Hussein has affected many in ways innumerable.

What does all this mean?

How can you deal with it?

Can this world get any worse?

Many have asked themselves and others these very questions over the past 12 months.

The answers obviously vary slightly from person to person, but for the Christian, the God-fearing, Bible-believing, child of the
Most High Lord; the answer should be this…

“None of these things move me…”

The Apostle Paul spoke this phrase in Acts 20:24.

What do you mean by that you may ask?

The word “move” in this verse and context shows the reader that Paul was not bothered by these “things”; as Matthew Henry
so pointedly put it, “None of these things moved him. They did not drive him off from his work; he did not tack about, and go
back again, when he saw the storm rise, but went on resolutely, preaching there, where he knew how dearly it would cost him.
They did not deprive him of his comfort, nor make him drive on heavily in his work. In the midst of troubles he was as one
unconcerned. In his patience he possessed his soul, and, when he was as sorrowful, yet he was always rejoicing, and in all
things more than a conqueror. Those that have their conversation in heaven can look down, not only upon the common troubles
of this earth but upon the threatening rage and malice of hell itself, and say that none of these things moved them, as knowing
that none of these things can hurt them.” –quote taken from Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible, Volume VI, Page
264, Revell Publishing, 1935.

What “things” were these that Paul was not “moved” by?

Acts 20:23 tells you, “…saying that bonds and afflictions abide(follow or precede) me.” (explanation mine)

Bonds and afflictions. In other words…trouble and problems.

Just as the previously listed news stories of the past year were troubling to the world, so were the bonds and afflictions that
followed and terrorized Paul’s ministry to him.

The Apostle Paul knew about hardship.

He was beaten. He was stoned and left for dead. He was shipwrecked. He was bitten by a venomous snake. He was imprisoned.
He was ridiculed for his stance in Christ.

But, in the midst of all that, he was able to say, “None of these things move me.”

Paul was saying, “Even though my life is hard, even though I am surrounded by heartache and despair, it does not have to affect
me to the extent that I lose my hope and vision for the cause of Christ.”

Paul wrote in Philipians 4:11, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be
content.”  (emphasis mine)

Paul found out that learning to depend solely upon God was his only option in life. Realize that Paul’s life was the life of a
battered, abused outcast preacher, whom no one liked outside the church, and even many in the church despised his teachings.
These facts weighed heavily on the mind of this great man, but did not change his outlook on life.

Despite his circumstances, Paul was determined to live his life according to the will and plan of God.

Many today let circumstances affect the outcome of their lives. They allow the environment and atmosphere they are living in
control and steer their reactions to life itself.

Is that you?

Are you easily affected by things around you? Does the daily news seem to “get to you”?

The believer and follower of God should not and cannot allow this to become the pattern for their life.

Paul wrote also in II Corinthians 4:8&9, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;”

It was bad…but not unbearable.

Paul was saying, “It is a tough life, but I still will make it because Christ is in my heart.”

My friend, God has not forgotten about you.

Yes, life is scary. Life is sometimes treacherous. Life is bad.

The world around you is going nowhere good.

But, with God there is hope.

For God is Hope.

You must make a decision…

For tomorrow may be too late.


II Corinthians 6:2 says,"...behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation.)”  (emphasis mine)